According to Madrid based newspaper MARCA, La Liga winners Atletico Madrid are closing in on Arsenal target and Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic.
The Rojiblancos were earlier looking to sign Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo but the Premier League winners were refusing to budge on their €30m asking price for the Spaniard. Diego Simeone’s side were willing to offer a maximum of €20m for Negredo.
Hence, Atletico have decided to pursue their plan B and its now reported that they are close to agreeing a deal of €18m with Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich.
The developments would be a major blow to Arsenal who are also in the market to stand a world class striker to take the pressure off Olivier Giroud up front. Mandzukic had earlier scored 21 goals and grabbed 6 assists in 40 appearances for the Bavarians last season.
However Mandzukic had claimed that he doesn’t fit into Pep Guardiola’s plans at the Allianz Arena outfit and made it public that his future would be away from Munich. Arsenal’s loss would however would be Atletico’s gain as Simeone would have a ’20 goal per season striker’ to replace the departing Diego Costa to Chelsea.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
